Both U.S. and Canada Federal regulations require tire manufacturers to place
standardized information on the sidewall of all tires. This information identifies
and describes the fundamental characteristics of the tire and also provides a U.S.
DOT Tire Identification Number for safety standard certification and in case of
a recall.

Information on P Type Tires

P215/65R15 95H is an example of a tire size, load index and speed rating. The
definitions of these items are listed below. (Note that the tire size, load index
and speed rating for your vehicle may be different from this example.)

A. P: Indicates a tire, designated by the Tire and Rim Association, that may
be used for service on cars, sport utility vehicles, minivans and light trucks.

Note

: If your tire size does not begin with a letter, this may mean it
is designated by either the European Tire and Rim Technical Organization or the
Japan Tire Manufacturing Association.

B. 215: Indicates the nominal width of the tire in millimeters from sidewall
edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger the number, the wider the tire.

C. 65: Indicates the aspect ratio which gives the tire’s ratio of height to width.

D. R: Indicates a radial type tire.

E. 15: Indicates the wheel or rim diameter in inches. If you change your wheel
size, you will have to purchase new tires to match the new wheel diameter.

F. 95: Indicates the tire’s load index. It is an index that relates to how much
weight a tire can carry. You may find this information in your owner’s manual. If
not, contact a local tire dealer.

Note

: You may not find this information on all tires because it is not
required by federal law.

G. H: Indicates the tire’s speed rating. The speed rating denotes the speed at
which a tire is designed to be driven for extended periods of time under a standard
condition of load and inflation pressure. The tires on your vehicle may operate
at different conditions for load and inflation pressure. These speed ratings may
need to be adjusted for the difference in conditions. The ratings range from 81
mph (130 km/h) to 186 mph (299 km/h). These ratings are listed in the following
chart.

Note: You may not find this information on all tires because it is not required
by federal law.

H. U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN): This begins with the letters DOT
and indicates that the tire meets all federal standards. The next two numbers or
letters are the plant code designating where it was manufactured, the next two are
the tire size code and the last four numbers represent the week and year the tire
was built. For example, the numbers 317 mean the 31st week of 1997. After 2000 the
numbers go to four digits. For example, 2501 means the 25th week of 2001. The numbers
in between are identification codes used for traceability. This information is used
to contact customers if a tire defect requires a recall.

I. M+S or M/S: Mud and Snow, or
AT: All Terrain, or
AS: All Season.

J. Tire Ply Composition and Material Used: Indicates the number of plies or the
number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire tread and sidewall. Tire manufacturers
also must indicate the ply materials in the tire and the sidewall, which include
steel, nylon, polyester, and others.

K. Maximum Load: Indicates the maximum load in kilograms and pounds that can
be carried by the tire. See the Safety Compliance Certification Label (affixed to
either the door hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge that meets the door-latch
post, next to the driver’s seating position), for the correct tire pressure for
your vehicle.

L. Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades

• Treadwear: The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate
of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test
course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (11⁄2) times
as well on the government course as a tire graded 100.

• Traction: The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.

• Temperature: The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing
the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.

M. Maximum Inflation Pressure: Indicates the tire manufacturer’s maximum permissible
pressure or the pressure at which the maximum load can be carried by the tire. This
pressure is normally higher than the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation
pressure, which can be found on the Safety Compliance Certification Label (affixed
to either the door hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge that meets the
door-latch post, next to the driver’s seating position), or Tire Label which is
located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. The cold inflation pressure
should never be set lower than the recommended pressure on the vehicle label.

The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings, such as standard
load or radial tubeless.

C. Maximum Load Dual lb (kg) at psi (kPa) cold: Indicates the maximum load and
tire pressure when the tire is used as a dual, defined as four tires on the rear
axle (a total of six or more tires on the vehicle).

D. Maximum Load Single lb (kg) at psi (kPa) cold: Indicates the maximum load
and tire pressure when the tire is used as a single, defined as two tires (total)
on the rear axle.

Information on T Type Tires

T type tires have some additional information beyond those of P type tires. These
differences are described below.

T145/80D16 is an example of a tire size.

Note

: The temporary tire size for your vehicle may be different from this
example. Tire Quality Grades do not apply to this type of tire.

A. T: Indicates a type of tire, designated by the Tire and Rim Association, that
is intended for temporary service on cars, sport-utility vehicles, minivans and
light trucks.

B. 145: Indicates the nominal width of the tire in millimeters from sidewall
edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger the number, the wider the tire.

C. 80: Indicates the aspect ratio, which gives the tire’s ratio of height to
width. Numbers of 70 or lower indicate a short sidewall.

E. 16: Indicates the wheel or rim diameter in inches. If you change your wheel
size, you will have to purchase new tires to match the new wheel diameter.

Location of the Tire Label

You will find a Tire Label containing tire inflation pressure by tire size and
other important information located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s
door. See the payload description and graphic in the Load Carrying chapter.

Safe operation of your vehicle requires that your tires are properly inflated.
Remember that a tire can lose up to half of its air pressure without appearing flat.
Every day before you drive, check ...

Other materials:

Keyless Entry (Diagnosis and Testing)
Handles, Locks, Latches And Mechanisms (Description and Operation)
Lock Cylinders
Individual lock cylinders are repaired by discarding the inoperative
lock cylinder and building a new
lock cylinder using the appropriate lock repair package. The lock r ...

Driveshaft (Removal and Installation)
Driveshaft (Description and Operation)
NOTE: All driveshaft assemblies are balanced. If undercoating the
vehicle, protect the driveshaft to
prevent overspray of any undercoating material.
The driveshaft has the following features:
A tubular shaft u ...